Mold-forming machine.



.No. 720,690. PATENTED FEB. 17, 1903.

I A. E. HAMMER.

MOLD FORMING MACHINE. APPLIQATION rnlim rm. 4, 1902.

H0 MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

. M INVENTOR: WITNEE M By Atfomej s,

Nb. 720,690. I PATENTED FEB. 17, 1903. A. E. HAMMER.

MOLD FORMING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 4, 1902.

N0 MODEL. 2 8HEETSSHEET 2.

///////////////I//////IA INVENTOR;

.WITNESSES:

M r By At/omeys, W M

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALFRED E. HAMMER, OF BRANFORD, CO NNEOTICUT.

MOLD-FORMING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 720,690, dated February17, 1903. Application filed February 4,1902. serial No. 92,503. (Nomodel.)

To aZZ whont it may concern:

. Be it known that I, ALFRED E. HAMMER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Branford, in the county of New Haven, in the State ofConnecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inMold-Forming Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention aims to provide certain improvements in machines for.forming sand molds, whereby the molds may be turned out very rapidly andmay at the same time be well made.

My invention aims also to provide certain improvements hereinafterreferred to in detail.

Referring to the accompanyiugdrawings, illustrating a machine embodyingmy invention, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the complete machine. Fig.2 is a front elevation, the lower part of the standards being cut away.Fig. 3 is a plan of the presser-plate and its supporting-shaft withtheparts in the position of Figs. 1 and 2; Fig.4-is a plan of what I havecalled the mechanism-box with the pattern-plate removed. Fig. 5 is asection on the line 5 5 of Fig. 4 with the half mold formed thereon.Fig. 6 isasimilar section on the line 6 6 of Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a plan ofthe pattern-plate. Fig. Sis a section of the complete mold in the flask,taken approximately on the line 8 8 of Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a centrallongitudinal section of the finished mold ready for use. Fig. 10 is asection of the sprue. Fig. 11 is asectionof one member of the flask,showing the false rim.

In the use of my invention the molds are formed by impressing thepattern upon sand held in the cope and the drag of the usual moldersflask, the novelty residing in the manner of handling the several partsand compressing the sand in the flask and in certain details hereinafterreferred to.

A feature which simplifies the construction greatly as compared withmachines now in use and which facilitates changing from one pattern toanother is the use of a patternplate carrying a stationary patternthereon and adapted to be supported in a stationary position on thefixed main frame of the machine, the mold being formed and compresseddirectly on said pattern-plate and being removed without moving saidplate. By reason of this operation the pattern-plate does not need to befixed to the frame and is preferably held down merely by its weight andheld against lateral movement by projections on its under side engagingsuitable recesses on a fixed portion of the frame. The compressing ofthe mold on the pattern-plate is preferably accomplished by-means of apresser-plate arranged to swing from the free ends of arms on a mainshaft to a position above the mold and to be then brought down upon-themold by turning said shaft. Preferably the presser-plate is pivotedloosely on its immediatesupport, so as to bear on the mold with equalpressure at difierent points.

I preferably provide also means for lifting the. mold and mold-box fromthe pattern-plate with a uniform gradual motion, which means, asillustrated, comprises a series of pins under the edge of the mold-boxand adapted to be projected through the plate to lift the box and withit the mold. Before the box is lifted 1 subject the pattern-plateto ajarring action to free the mold from the pattern, this being obtained,preferably, by a hammer adapted to be vibrated to strike thepattern-plate without, however, moving the same relatively to themold-box. This operation frees the mold from the pattern, so that whenthe lifting means are put intooperation the mold separates in perfectshape from thepattern.

Afeature of the machine which adds greatly to the ease of assembling thesame is a mechanism-box, separable from the main frame of the machineand carrying, preferably, both a complete jarring device for jarring thepattern-plate to free the mold and a complete means for removing themold from its pattern. This box may be merely an open frame, thoughpreferably it is closed at the side's,'as shown. Like the pattern-plate,it does not need to be fixed to the frame, but

may be supported on the frame in any suitable manner which will preventlateral displacement. Preferably, however, it is bolted down, as it isnot often necessary-to remove it.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, A indicates the pattern-plate,which has preferably a considerable margin around the pattern forreceiving and supporting the mold-box B directly thereon,those two partsbeinghold rig- IOO idly together by means hereinafter described. Withthe parts in this position the mold-box is filled with sand, which istamped, and by means of a false rim 0, Fig. 11, is filled to a pointsomewhat above the upper edge of the frame, the rim being then removed,leaving the sand standing, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. A press-board D isthen placed on the sand, this being just an ordinary board with a pairof cleats running across it to distribute the pressure.

E is a presser-plate adapted to swing, as shown in Fig. 1, to and from aposition over the press-board D. For this purpose the presser-plate ispivoted to swing from arms F on a main shaft G, Fig. 2, thepresser-plate being carried directly upon a shaft H, which has arms Jpivoted to the arms F of the main shaft. The shaft H is adjustable onthe arm J for use with mold-boxes of difierent heights by means of nutsK screwing on the threaded ends of the arms J. When the plate E has beenpulled over to the dotted-line position of Fig. 1 over the press-boardD, the main shaft G is turned by means of the operatingarm L, which,through the arms F, depresses the plate and presses the mold solidlydown against the pattern -plate to make a hard sharp mold. Thecompressed mold is shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

In order to equalize the pressure of the presser-plate E upon thevarious parts of the mold, in which there maybe varying quantities ofsand, it is preferably pivoted on its support. This arrangement may besimply accomplished in the manner shown in Fig. 3, in which the plate Eis carried on the shaft H by means of sleeves M, preferably castintegral with the plate and loose on the shaft, so as to permit theplate to assume any desired position relatively to the shaft when it ispressed down upon the matrix. It is desirable, however, that themovement of the prcsser-plate on the shaft should be restricted, so thatin the open position of Fig. 1 the plate should not be horizontal, butshould be somewhat inclined upward at the edge nearest the machine, sothat the plate may be drawn easily and without obstruction up and overthe rear edge of the press-board. This may be accomplished by formingthe sleeves M with stops or shoulders N and by providing similar stopsin the form of pins 0 upon the shaft, the movement of the plate beingrestricted in proportion to the are between the two opposite stops N.These stops serve at the same time to prevent longitudinal movement ofthe plate relatively to the shaft. The whole provides an extremelysimple manner of mounting and connecting these parts.

The frame of the machine is constructed strongly and rigidly with a pairof upright side supports P, connected at the top by a bridge Q, theseparts being preferably connected together by means of webs B, Fig. 1,which are bolted to each other. The mechanism-box Sis supported upon andbolted directly to similar webs formed at the top of the bridge Q.Suitable stops are provided on the frame, such as T and U, for limitingthe movement of the arms J of the presserplate. The shaft G ispreferably supported in bearings bolted to vertical webs V, Fig. 1, onthe uprights P.

Preferably the mechanism for freeing and lifting the mold from the plateis all mounted in a frame S, which Ihave called a mechanism-box andwhich is closed at the sides, so as to prevent sand getting into themechanism, but which is open at the bottom, being preferably flanged andbolted to the webs of the bridge, as indicated in Fig. 6. The box isprovided with a diaphragm W in its upper portion, the edges of the boxand of the diaphragm being planed to give an even bearing to thepattern-plate. The patternplate is provided on its under side with apair of lugs X, which extend downward through a slot in the center ofthe diaphragm W and hold the pattern-plate rigidly in position on thebox, the outer faces of the lugs fitting against the outer edges of theslot and preferably packing-strips Y of leather or the like beinginserted between the lugs and the edges of the slot to make a good fitand to prevent excessive noise when the plate is jarred to free thepattern from the mold.

For jarring the pattern-plate a hammer Z is provided which is mounted onan arm ct, pivoted to the rear side of the box and extending through aslot in the front thereof, Fig. 2, its outer end being provided with apivoted handle I). By swinging the handle I) back and forth the hammeris vibrated between the lugs X, and striking these lugs jars theplate,with the result stated. During this jarring no relative movementof the plate and matrix-frame can take place, these two being rigidlyconnected, as explained hereinafter. This arrangement of ahorizontally-vibrating ham mer positioned below the plate makes theentire mechanism very compact.

The lifting of the mold-box from the pattern-plate is preferablyaccomplished by a series of pins 0, which project through holes (I inthe pattern-plate at points below the edge of the mold-box. These pinsare sup ported upon bars 6 in the mechanism-box, the ends of which aresupported in slots in the sides of the box, Fig. 1. These bars areguided in their vertical movement by guide-rollersf bearing against theside walls of the box. The lifting movement of the bars 8 is produced bymeans of aseries of camsgon shafts it running from front to rear of thebox and connected for simultaneous movement by means of cranksj and alink 70. One of the shafts 7L is provided with an operating-crank latthe front of the machine, as shown. The two operating members orhandles 1) and Z, by which the jarring and lifting actions are produced,are near together and at the front of the machine, so as to be readilyaccessible from the same point.

For fixing the two parts of the flask together and also for fixing theparts of the flask separately on the pattern-plate I provide an improvedarrangement of steadying-pins or similar projections. As shown in Fig.8, the cope B has at each end a steadying-pin m and a recess or hole n,adapted to engage a similar pin on on the drag E the drag having also ahole 17. for receiving the pin m. These pins and holes are preferablyformed on brackets at opposite sides of the flask. Cooperating with thepins on and m there are provided on brackets at opposite sides of thepattern-plate holes p and 19, the outer hole being in a position toreceive the pin m of the cope, and the inner holep being in position toreceive the pin m of the drag. One of the holes (in this case p) ismade'adj ustable, so that if there be any slight lack of symmetry in thetwo parts of the flask it may be corrected by slightly changing theposition of the half-mold in one of suchjparts. The bolts q extend intothe holepfrom opposite sides to effect any desired lateral adjustment,while the" bolts r at opposite ends of the plate elfect the desiredendwise adjustment.

The sprue which I use ispreferably composed of an upper conical member sand a lower cylindrical member t, arranged to telescope in the uppermember and to be held in the extended position by means of a spring a,held in place by a top plate o. The lower member 15 has the usual pintoat its lower end, which enters a hole provide'difor it in the gate ac,Figs. 6 and 7. This sprue'is especially useful with my improved machine,since it yields to any pressure which comes "upon it either during thetamping-by hand orj'the pressing operation of the machine.

The function and operation of the several elements of my machine havingbeen described in detail, I will briefly state the mode of operation ofthe machine as a whole. Any suitable pattern-plate is first placed uponthe mechanism-box S, with its lugs X in; the slot of the diaphragm. Adrag is then placed in inverted position upon the pattern-plate, withits pins mt entering the holes 19 to fix it againstlateralmovement.Sandisthenifilled in and tamped by hand in the usual way, being filledto a height somewhat above the edge of the drag by means of the rim 0.The pressboard D, which is afterward to serve as a bottom board for thefinished mold, is then placed on the sand, the presser-plate E pulledover onto the press-board, and the lever L pulled forward, compressingthe sand. The lever L and plateE are then returned to their originalposition. The hammer Zis vibrated to jar the pattern, and eithersimultaneously.

The cope is then laid plate, the sprue is inserted in the gate, and

the same operations of the machine are'rewhen it is ready. for pouringin the metal.

Though I have described with great particularity of detail anapparatusembodying my invention, yet I am not to be understoodaslimiting the same to the specific embodiment disclosed. Variousmodifications in the details and combinations of the parts are possibleto those skilled in the art without departing from the invention.

What I claim is 1. In a mold-forming machine, thecombination with afixed portion of the frame, of a pattern-plate supported in a stationaryposition on said frame and removable therefrom to permit the readysubstitution of another plate therefor, said plate carrying a stationarypattern thereon, means for forming a mold directly on said removableplate, means for removing said mold without moving said plate, apresser-plate adapted to move to and from a position over said mold, andmeans for depressing said presser-plate to compress said mold'on saidpattern-plate.

2. In a mold-forming machine, the combination with means for forming andsupporting a mold, of means for compressing said mold comprising apresser plate support mounted to swing to and from a position over saidmold, a presser-plate pivoted loosely on said support so as to equalizethe pressure on said mold,meansforrestricting the movement of saidpresser-plate on its support to hold it.

in position to swing over the mold, andmeans for moving said support topress said plate against said mold.

' 3. In a mold-forming machine, the combi to hold it:in position toswingover the mold,

the frame of the machine, cams gadapted to raise said bars and therebyto lift said mold andbox from said plate, and shafts h carry.-

ing said cams and connected together to move simultaneously.

5. In a mold-forming machine, the combination with a frame, ofapattern-plate supported in a stationary position on said frame andremovable therefrom to permit the ready substitution of another platetherefor, said plate carrying a stationary pattern thereon, means forsupporting a mold-box directly on said plate in position to form a moldthereon,

and means for jarring said plate to free the pattern from the mold.

6. In a mold-forming machine, the combination with a frame, of apattern-plate supported in a stationary position on said frame andremovable therefrom to permit the ready substitution of another platetherefor, said plate carrying a stationary pattern thereon, means forsupporting a mold-box directly on said plate in position to form a moldthereon, and a hammer adapted to strike said plate to jar the same andfree the pattern from the mold.

7. In a mold-forming machine, the combination with a frame, of apattern-plate supported in a stationary position on said frame andremovable therefrom to permit the ready substitution of another platetherefor, and means for supporting a mold-box in position to form a molddirectly on said plate, said plate having depending lugs X, a hammer Zbelow said plate, and a lever a carrying said hammer and arranged tooscillate the same between said lugs to jar said plate and free thepattern from the mold.

8. In a mold-forming machine, the combination of a pattern-plate, meansfor supporting a mold-box in position to form a mold thereon, said platehaving depending lugs X, a hammer Z below said plate, and a lever a,

carrying said hammer and arranged to oscil-' late the same between saidlugs to jar said plate and free the pattern from the mold, a series ofpins normally below said box, horizontal bars 6 each supporting aplurality of said pins and guided in the frame of the machine, cams 9adapted to raise said bars and thereby to lift said mold and mold-boxfrom said plate, and shafts h carrying said cams and connected togetherto move simultaneously.

9. In a mold-forming machine, the combination of a pattern-plate, meansfor forming a mold directly on said plate, a mechanismbox, and mechanismin said box for lifting a mold from said pattern-plate, saidmechanism-box and plate having interengaging provisions whereby saidplate is supported on said box in fixed position to render saidmechanism operative and is readily removable therefrom to permit thesubstitution of another plate therefor.

10. In a mold-forming machine, the combination of a pattern-plate, amechanism-box, said box being slotted and said plate having lugs on itsunder side adapted to enter said slot and hold said plate in position,and a hammer in said box mounted to vibrate between said lugs to jarsaid plate.

11. The combination with a pattern-plate, of a flask comprising a copeand a drag, said cope having a projection and a recess, said drag havinga projection and recess adapted to engage the recess and projection onsaid cope, and said plate having recesses adapted to engage theprojections on said cope and drag.

12. The combination with a pattern-plate, of a flask comprising a copeand a drag, said cope having a projection and a recess, said drag havinga projection and recess adapted to engage the recess and projection onsaid cope, and said plate having recesses adapted to engage theprojections on said cope and drag, one of said recesses of the platebeing adjustable.

13. In a mold-forming machine, the combination of a pattern-plate havinga lug depending from its under side, of a hammer arranged to vibrate ina substantially horizontal direction and under said plate and to strikesaid depending lug whereby to jar said plate and free the pattern fromthe mold.

14. In a mold-forming machine, the combination with a hammer for jarringa patternplate to free it from a mold formed thereon, and a handle forsaid hammer, of a box carrying said hammer and said handle and separablefrom the main frame of the machine.

15. In a mold-forming machine, the combination with a hammer for jarringa patternplate to free it from a mold formed thereon, and a handle forsaid hammer, of mechanism for removing the mold from its pattern, anoperating-lever for said mechanism permanently connected thereto, and abox carrying said hammer and handle and said mechanism and lover andseparable from the main frame of the machine.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

ALFRED E. HAMMER.

Witnesses:

A. E. ROWE, L. J. NIcHoLs.

